Farmers told of forestry importance

FARMERS have been reminded that forestry is a real alternative land use option and is worth investigating.

Minister of State Brendan Smith said forestry will become increasingly important as the pattern of traditional agriculture changes.

He was speaking in Cavan at the launch of a major nationwide joint initiative between the Irish Forest Industry Chain (IFIC) and the Department of Agriculture and Food.

It will highlight the income, employment, energy, environmental and amenity advantages of forestry to farm families, rural areas and the national economy.

The Cavan launch was the first in a series that will take place in the regions over the coming weeks.

Mr Smith said the full cost of planting is covered by grants. Farmers can also plant up to half their lands and retain their full single payment rights.

Grants are available to cover pruning, shaping and forest roads during the growing cycle. There are also tax-free premiums of up to 499 per hectare, in addition to the end value of the timber crop.

Minister Smith said few other land uses offer the same return as forestry and he urged farmers and landowners to consider the opportunities available.

Meanwhile, Seymour Crawford, Fine Gael’s deputy spokesperson on agriculture, claimed that over the last nine years there have been successive Government commitments to forestry.

But they have failed to deliver meaningful improvements to encourage realistic levels of planting, he said.